Consumo de vitamina A e perfil socioeconômico e demográfico de lactantes

Abstract

Objective: To assess the influence of socioeconomic and demographic factors in dietary intake of vitamin A by infants attended at public maternity. Methods: The sample consisted of 149 infants assisted in a Maternity Hospital of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. We collected self-reported data on socioeconomic and demographic conditions of the participants through a semi-structured questionnaire. Gestational anthropometric nutritional status was evaluated through the gestational body mass index; consumption of VA was analyzed using 24-hour recall applied at three different times of the lactation period. The Daily intake recommended by the World Health Organization were used to define reference points to establish the VA nutritional status of the nursing mothers. Results: The average age of the nursing mothers was 24 years, eutrophic (36,2%); most said to be brown (58.45%), married (78.5%) had not completed high school (27.5%) did not work and had no income of their own (75.2%). The mean dietary intake of vitamin A was below the recommended, indicating that the majority had moderate risk of disability. Regarding the influence of socioeconomic and demographic factors on vitamin A consumption, there was a significant association with the profession and the income of nursing mothers. Conclusion: The mean vitamin A consumption of the infants during the first three months postpartum was insufficient. There is a relationship between the consumption of vitamin A and social determinants, but due to gaps and discrepancies found in the literature, more research is needed on the subject.